It was a walk down memory lane as Thembeka Secondary School celebrated its 50th anniversary at a prestigious event on October 11.
This high school first opened its doors in 1974 as a boarding school. It became a stepping stone for many successful people who are now dedicating themselves to helping it progress further.
Various stakeholders, alumni, sponsors and members of the community attended, including the mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, and the businessman and philanthropist, Robert Gumede.
The school choir welcomed the guests with their performances. Some learners recited poems and others delivered dance performances.
Mlungisi Khoza, the principal, said in an interview he had started at the school as the headmaster in 2021.
“Today is an exciting day for me. I don’t want to let the legacy of the school down. We want to use this day as a trajectory of development. The alumni know this was a great school. If you are an alumnus, it means you can relate to the learners because you were once in their position. Your success stories serve as an inspiration to the learners.”
The guests were treated to a tour of the school, where they learnt of its history, as well as the main programme directed by one of the learners, Thembelihle Kobyane, which included speeches from the principal, the sponsors and the chairperson of the Thembeka Alumni Association, Irvin Phenyane.
“Thembeka was the most beautiful and disciplined school in KaNyamazane and we want it to reach that standard again. We are working towards refurbishing the part of the school that was once a residence for learners,” said Phenyane.
He highlighted the significance of reaching this milestone, saying the key to longevity is good leadership, “The school governing body must be made of people who love the school. The senior management team must be united and willing to take chances. The purpose of leadership is that you must be willing to be progressively unpopular. Set the rules, and anyone who disobeys them must face the repercussions. The learners should be competing to be the best in their academics,” added Phenyane.
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He said the alumni are in talks with sponsors to raise R1m to improve the school with computers and other essentials.
Some alumni, who had completed their studies during the 70s, 80s and 90s, also stepped onto the podium to share their vision for the school.
